The US military will deploy additional fighter jets and Navy warships to the Middle East, according to a Pentagon announcement on Friday. This move is part of Washington’s effort to bolster defenses in response to threats from Iran and its allies, Hamas and Hezbollah.
The US anticipates Iran will retaliate for the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, who was killed two days ago in Tehran amid ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. In preparation, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin approved the deployment of additional Navy cruisers and destroyers capable of shooting down ballistic missiles to the Middle East and Europe, along with an extra squadron of fighter jets.
“Austin has ordered adjustments to U.S. military posture designed to improve U.S. force protection, to increase support for the defense of Israel, and to ensure the United States is prepared to respond to various contingencies,” the Pentagon stated.
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Despite earlier speculation that the USS Theodore Roosevelt carrier strike group might not be replaced in the Middle East upon completing its deployment, Austin decided to rotate in the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier strike group instead. The Pentagon also announced increased readiness to deploy more land-based ballistic missile defenses.
The US military has already intensified deployments, particularly after Iran launched an attack on Israeli territory with drones and missiles on April 13. The threat from Hezbollah in Lebanon presents unique challenges to US efforts to intercept drones and missiles due to the group’s vast arsenal and close proximity to Israel. During the attack, Israel, with assistance from the US and other allies, successfully intercepted nearly all of the approximately 300 drones and missiles.
President Biden, in a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday, discussed new US defensive military deployments to support Israel against threats such as missiles and drones, according to the White House.
Iran and Hamas have accused Israel of carrying out Haniyeh’s killing and have vowed to retaliate. Israel has neither confirmed nor denied responsibility for the death. Haniyeh’s killing is one of several targeting senior Hamas figures as the Gaza conflict with Israel approaches its 11th month, raising concerns of a wider Middle East conflict.
Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh stated that the US does not believe escalation is inevitable and emphasized the potential for de-escalation through a ceasefire deal. An Israeli delegation is set to travel to Cairo for negotiations aimed at reaching a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal, Prime Minister Netanyahu’s office announced on Friday.
